She, four others and two pilots were due to take off from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar at 11am, where the minister had campaigned for party candidates yesterday.

The minister arrived at the heliport well before the scheduled time. “However, when the pilots tried to start the helicopter, it did not work.”

A technical team is inspecting the fault. Munde will fly in another helicopter, BJP sources said.

Last Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar took off in a chartered private plane that crashed near Baramati airport. Ajit Pawar died along with four other people. Pawar came to Baramati to campaign for the party candidates.

Munde, who later reached Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar in another helicopter, said, “Yesterday also I realized that there was some technical glitch with the helicopter. Therefore, I decided not to travel in that helicopter. They told me that they would send another one, but that too was delayed. I could have canceled the meeting giving these reasons, but it did not seem right to me. People were waiting. Since this is a grassroots-driven election, it is essential to support them. I needed to hold the meeting to give them energy and strength. Although “The meeting started two hours late, people were willing to wait.”

Munde said his mother worries and continues to ask about his well-being. “Every time I fly, my mother worries. Did it land safely? Did it take off?” She keeps asking… After Ajit Pawar’s accident, everyone has been shocked. That’s why people are stressed. “Many party workers even send messages asking that planes and helicopters not be used.”

However, the Minister stated, there is currently no other alternative.

“All the technical aspects are clarified before you sit down (on the plane), so there is no reason to be afraid. The work will not stop. Whatever happens, the tour will not be cancelled. It is natural for new people to feel scared, but you have to do your duty.”